APOLLO

One thread of the golden wool was all it took for me to be hidden by Themis. That was all it took and a price that I could not begin to imagine to give back to that woman.

But I had now the power to move with the woman, fooling her more and more. I could feel the victory so close.

When the whore called us back to the cold room I tried to search for any other surprise. Just some very young girls and old women and men, ignored us completely as they were serving each customer. But once again, very old and very young women. Only a few that could satisfy me were dancing cautiously around the room with heavy powder on their faces.

The woman seemed to look really worried as she tried to ask a question but the whore cut her off.

‘’He walked away a while ago’’She cleared her throat and tried to look away from me. Her bruises began to turn all so swollen. Bruises like these will make her stop working for days or even weeks.

‘’Saying he needs…’’A pout. ‘’Time to think.’’

The woman frowned and shook her head, changing the subject.’’I helped you, now speak’’

The whore’s lips opened wide and on her knees she fell, her mouth muttering tears and her entire body shaking like a fish. Honestly, that view of her was quite pleasing.

‘’Please, oracle, help me.’’

Both of us stared at her completely densely.

The crying prostitute stared at us once more before she explained everything.

‘’It all started few moons ago’’Her fingers began to shake.’’Women, sisters of mine started going missing.’’

I let out a deep breath.’’So? They probably ran away or got kidnapped, why would you need her help?’’I turned to the woman who remained silent.

The prostitute continued.’’One time, I managed to catch one of them, walking away in the heavy dark of night. She was walking to the forest, her clothes woven for a wedding, just like her face. I tried to talk to her but she did not respond. She kept walking’’Her voice cracked.’’And walking, walking so deep to the forest until her steps vanished into the cave of the snake.’’

And there it was. That pain in my chest and my gaze turned curious on that woman.

‘’I asked for Dion’s help…’’She cleaned up her face. ‘’And he told me he would help me if I..’’ Her eyes moved on the supposed oracle.’’For a few days, I managed to work at King Perseus’ place, slipping from bed to bed…’’She squeezed up her legs.’’Slipping more than me to places they do not belong.’’

‘’So you put the opium’’The woman’s brow arched.

’’Yes,’’She sighed.’’And when I saw your terrible disguise tonight, I found the opportunity. ‘’She sat back in the chair, spreading her legs.

‘’But it was all pointless, so…’’She smirked at us as if she didn’t beg like a dog before.’’I am asking for your help.’’

Silence. Such a deep silence but it seemed she would help. She must defeat the snake either way so…

And a laugh came from the lying woman. A heavy cruel laugh.

‘’Why should I?’’

Eh?

The prostitute blinked.’’Please Lyssandra, try to find those girls,’’

‘’You tried to kill me, twice’’She smirked and moved at her close.’’Twice.’’

‘’I didn’t have any other choice.’’

The woman scoffed disappointed.’’You should have come to me first then.’’

Was this an act? Away to manipulate her? Lie to her teeth? No, it was not and it was so clear. Even if she was tricking her so clearly, those thoughts, those words she was spitting were her own true emotions. Her face wrinkled, her gaze shifting harshly.

‘’How cruel’’I muttered and turned my head away, hiding my wide smile as my cheeks turned red.

The woman ignored me as she was facing down the prostitute.

‘’And why should I believe you? Maybe that’s also a plan from that punny priest.’’Her body moved closer to the whore and her nails grasped that freshly wounded face of hers.

‘’Why should I risk my life for you?’’

‘’No, I am not working for him’’She said with all honesty but the woman had more things to say.

‘’Then how did he find you?’’

Her lips twitched.

‘’He…’’ Her head fell to the floor and moved back on the ground.’’He comes often.’’

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And another shared glance of disgust came as a response from us.

‘’I will throw up’’The woman’s cruel mask broke for a second and then she clapped her hands with one more grin coming on her face.

‘’So, he chooses you?’’

The woman frowned and then nodded.

‘’Great’’The fake oracle’s gaze became all so soft as she tried to explain her plan to the whore.

‘’I will help you if you help me. Spy Dion for me, and tell me everything’’

The whore’seyes lit up with all so much hope.

‘’But if you double cross me ‘’Her voice depended and turned back to me. ‘’My friend will finish the job.’’

The whore’s wide eyes turned on me with such a scare as if I was ready to end her life. I must have scared her for her to make such a beautiful expression.

‘’You are cruel,’’ She narrowed at the woman, standing up tall.’’Do you know what things people say about you?’’

The woman raised her height and tried to look as if she cared.

‘’That from the moment you came here the village has split in two, and they are also blaming you for the snake? The night the king arrived a house was burnt and the people began to miss more.’’

A house was burnt.

‘’Then they should blame Perseus.’’

‘’He came to see you’’The whore spat at her’’Do you even know how many people have went missing?’’

The woman remained silent.

‘’No, you do not care, you only care for yourself.’’

Jaw clenched listening to those words and watched the woman still being silent.

‘’You really think’’The whore laughed.’’That you and Dion are not the sa-’’

‘’Enough’’I whispered to the whore as I was standing right behind her with my hand wrapped around her throat. Her pulse began to rush, her lungs, trying to reach for air.

How dare she compare this woman with that stupid man? She was attacking me

‘’My oracle is sparing your life.’’I looked down at her with my eyes, finding a glimpse of the woman’s husky breaths. Her bronze skin slowly flushes red and…

Oh.

‘’Enough Paris’’She cleared her throat and she walked away from both of us. But before opening the door, she turned on the whore who I had now let free.

‘’You are right about me and him but there is a difference.’’

The whore hummed.

‘’I am not going to lie of helping you.’’

+++

‘’This was…’’I tried to make small talk with her as her eyes were looking at the grass as we tried to walk back to the temple.

‘’Come on now my oracle, you made progress.’’ I forged a smile on my lips.

She just nodded.

But her eyes were heavy dark, her lips were dry and every playful thing that once came from her was gone.

Those cruel words that she said…the words that this whore spoke for her. I looked down at my hand which was still twitching with anger. Why was I so mad about it?

‘’This woman was a complete liar you and he are completely different’’I grinned and she turned on me confused.’’He is charismatic, he has more wealth, and based on the women he is choosing he has a lot of stamin-’’

I was expecting a death glare from her but instead, she was giggling like an idiot. A charming beautiful laughter that belonged to an idiot.

But then she turned to another empty expression.

Facing the glooming woman now, and noticing her heavy breathing I could only comfort her.

‘’He will be there,’’I announced to her. That was the truth. He would be until the very end.

‘’The man loves you far too much .’’

Once again silence.

‘’And if he isn’t there…’’I squinted playfully closer to her.’’I won’t go anywhere. I promise’’

She stopped walking and turned to me with a frown. How flushed her cheeks turned, her eyes darting. The brute was not the only one who drank from the wine was it?

‘’Why?’’ She asked.

Because when your punishment happens I will enjoy devouring your flesh, drink your blood like wi-

I cleared my throat and leaned closer to her with a smile.

‘’Isn’t it obvious?’’I arched my brow and she looked up at my gaze.

She let out a harsh chuckle.’’I knew it..’She moved closer, standing better on my height.

I kept smiling at her with my chest becoming tighter.’’Knew what?’’

‘’You are saying all those things to me’’So close so close, I could smell the herbs and the wine with the deep scent of her body. And how sweet it was from the honey.

‘’Trying to be so close…yet’’She wrapped her fingers on my arms, pulling me closer.

That was it. I was ready to kiss her, make her mine.

But instead of a kiss, she found my ear and let out a whisper.’’You have that look in your eyes. That…hate.’’

My eyes darted as I heard that. She knew that I hated her and yet…

She was not in control now, her body was leaning once again so close. She was all so vulnerable and…

Why am I hating this? Why is it so easy?

‘’Not tonight oracle’’I said, pulling her by the waist and moving her heavy body on my shoulders. Letting out a heavy squeak it seemed perfectly that her dramatic mask had fallen off. She tried so hard to restrain herself, did she?

‘’Let me go’’She whined and started punching my back with her brute fists. Surprisingly it did hurt.

‘’Not in this condition.’’

With my hand slapping her hips, I kept carrying her inside the temple so I could guide her to the bathtub.